East Stroudsburg schools restrict students over 'unsubstantiated threats'

East Stroudsburg School District officials have placed the North High School and Lehman Intermediate School on restricted movement Thursday following “unsubstantiated threats” of school violence in connection with the end of the Mayan Calendar.

East Stroudsburg School District officials have placed the North High School and Lehman Intermediate School on restricted movement Thursday following “unsubstantiated threats” of school violence in connection with the end of the Mayan Calendar.

“Currently, there is no information being received in connection with any other schools. Any calls we receive from parents are being logged, and additional information is being passed along to law enforcement as it is received,” said a statement issued by the school district, that officials were in the process of sending to parents late Thursday morning.

“We appreciate your assistance in assuring our community that we take any threats towards our schools seriously and have measures in place to help ensure student safety,” the statement said.

Due to the supposed end of the world, school officials received social media reports that kids were afraid and they would possibly bring a weapon to school as protection, said East Stroudsburg School District Chief of Police Frederick Mill.

“Again, it's all hearsay and speculation,” Mill said.

The social media reports in particular involved the North High School and Lehman, school officials said.

Restricted movement, also referred to as a “Level I-Lockdown” requires any student leaving the classroom during class time to have an escort.

The restrictions will also continue into Friday, school officials said.

For example, if students must use the bathroom during class time, they will have an escort, said Superintendent Sharon Laverdure.

That escort could be a security guard, teacher or other school official.

Students do not normally have an escort during school, although visitors, including parents, always do, she said.

Restricted movement also prohibits students from going outside. Students were supposed to have a fire drill on Thursday, but that has now been canceled, Laverdure said.

The status does not require students to have escorts between regular class changes, Laverdure said.